Picture © CHI Geneva – scoopdyga.com
Scott Brash has come second in one of the most prestigious competitions in showjumping, at CHI Geneva.
‘Too fast’
The Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final features the top 10 riders in the world, including Scott, Steve Guerdat, Eric Lamaze and current world number one, Kent Farrington.
Scott produced the first clear round of the evening with Ursula XII, which was followed by clears from Lorenzo De Luca, Harrie Smolders and Kevin Staut.
The competition is staged over two rounds, so all 10 riders jumped again, taking their faults forward. Scott put the pressure on his competitors once again, producing another faultless round in a time of 42.83sec.
However Kevin, who was competing in his eighth IJRC Top 10 Final, cut every corner to stop the clock at 40.90sec and win the class.
“I don’t think I could have done any more,” said Scott. “Ursula has a huge stride, but is a slow mover. Kevin’s turns were much smoother than mine and he was too fast for us today.”
Rolex Grand Slam
Another big class at CHI Geneva is the Rolex Grand Prix, which was won by Kent Farrington.
Just five riders out of 39 starters made it through to the jump-off. Harrie Smolders was first to jump clear with Don VHP and he was joined by Henrik von Eckermann (Mary Lou 194) and Gregory Wathelet (Corée) – who won the Rolex Grand Prix in Aachen this year – Kent Farrington and European team champion Cian O’Connor (Fibonacci).
Kent was riding the appropriately named Gazelle, who flew around the course in an unbeatable time. Kent has won almost every other big competition at the CHI Geneva, but this is the first time he has topped the Grand Prix. His win puts him in contention for the Rolex Grand Slam and the €1m bonus.
‘State of shock’
“I am overjoyed, but to be honest I am still in a state of shock,” said Kent. “I have been trying to win this Grand Prix for so long. Now that I have finally done it, I find it hard to believe that it really is all over and that I left the show as the winner. It has brought the year to a fantastic close for me!”
It was a great week for Kent who also won the Credit Suisse Grand Prix earlier in the week, while Harrie Smolders won the Credit Suisse Geneva Classic riding Axel Verlooy.
You can watch all four competitions on Sky 253 and online via H&C Play or Amazon Video.
Credit Suisse Geneva Classic: Tuesday 12 December 8pm
Rolex Top Ten IJRC Final 2017: Wednesday 13 December 8pm
Rolex Grand Prix Geneva 2017: Thursday 14 December 8pm
Credit Suisse Grand Prix Geneva: Friday 15 December 8pm